Although profound and enlightened moralists are convinced that true happiness consists in the acquisition of virtue and recognise no other temple of God but a pure heart, nevertheless the physicians of the spiritual order, from their knowledge of the pulsation of human feeling, have bestowed on certain places a reputation for sanctity and thus rousing the slumberers in forgetfulness and instilling in them the enthusiastic desire of seeking God, have made these shrines instruments for their reverencing of the just, and the toils of the pilgrimage a means of facilitating the attainment of their aim.
These holy places are of four degrees.
The first is termed deva or divine and dedicated to Brahmá, Vishṇu and Mahádeva. The greatest among these are twenty-eight rivers in the following order:—
(1). Ganges. (2). Sarasvatí. (3). Jamuna. (4). Narbadá.* (5). Vipáśá, known as the Biáh (Hyphasis). (6). Vitastá (Hydaspes or Bidaspes) known as the Bihat. (7). Kauśikí, a river near Rhoṭás* in the Panjáb, but some place it in the neighbourhood of Garḥí in the eastern districts. (8). Nandávatí.* (9). Chandrabhága, known as the Chenáb. (10). ´Sarayu (Sarju) known as the Saráu. (11). Satyavatí.* (12). Tápí known as Taptí, upon the (north) bank of which is Burhánpúr.* (13). Párávatí.* (14). Pásávatí. (15). Gomatí (Gumti) near Dváraká.* (16). Gandakí, upon the banks of which is Sulṭánpúr of the Súbah of Oudh. (17). Báhudá.* (18). Deviká (Deva or Gogra). (19). Godávarí, called also Bánganga.* Paṭṭan of the Dekhan is situated on its bank. (20). Támraparṇí* at the extremity of the Dekhan. Here pearls are found. (21). Charmanvatí. (22). Varaṇa, near Benares. (23). Irávatí, known as the Ráví (Hydraotes). Lahor is on its bank. (24). ´Satadru (the hundred-channelled), known as the Sutlej. Ludíana is upon its bank. (25). Bhímarathí, called also the Bhímá, in the Dekhan. (26). Parnasoṇá.* (27). Vanjara, in the Dekhan. (28). A´chamíyyá. Some include the Indus, but it is not of the same sanctity.
Each of these rivers as dedicated to one of these deities, has peculiar characteristics ascribed to it: Some of the places situated on their banks are esteemed holy, as, for example, the village of Soron on the Ganges, to which multitudes flock on the twelfth of the month of Aghan. (Nov.– Dec.). Some regard certain cities as dedicated to the divinities. Among these are Káśi, commonly called Benares. The adjacent country for five kos around the city is held sacred. Although pilgrimages take place throughout the year, on the ´Siva-rátri* multitudes resort thither from distant parts and it is considered one of the most chosen places in which to die. Final liberation is said to be fourfold:—(1). Sálokya,* passing from the degrees of paradise to Kailása. They say that when a man goes to heaven through good works, he must return to earth, but when after various transmigrations, he attains that region, he returns no more. (2). Sárúpya (assimilation to the deity); when a man partakes of the divine elementary form, he does not revisit the earth. (3). Sámípya (nearness to the deity) is when a man after breaking the elemental bonds, by the power of good works is admitted into the presence of God's elect, and does not return to earth. (4). Sáyujya (absorption into the deity); after passing through all intermediate stages, he obtains the bliss of true liberation. They have likewise divided the territory of Benares into four kinds. The characteristic of two parts is that when a being dies therein, he attains the fourth degree of Mukti; if he dies in one of the others, he reaches the third degree, and if in the remaining one, the second degree.
Ayodhyá, commonly called Awadh. The distance of forty kos to the east, and twenty to the north is regarded as sacred ground. On the ninth of the light half of the month of Chaitra a great religious festival is held.*
Avantiká, Ujjain. All around it for thirty-two kos is accounted holy and a large concourse takes place on the ´Siva-rátri.
Kánchi* (Conjevaram) in the Dekhan. For twenty kos around it is considered sacred. On the eighth of every Hindu month that falls on a Tuesday, there is a great concourse of pilgrims.
Mathurá is sacred for forty-eight kos around, and even before it became the birthplace of Kṛíshṇa, was held in veneration. Religious festivals are held on the 23rd of the month of Bhádra (Bhádoṅn, Aug.–Sept.) and the 15th of Kárttika (Oct.–Nov.).*
Dváraká. The country for forty kos in length and twenty in breadth is esteemed holy. On the Diwálí* festival, crowds resort hither.
Máyá, known as Haridvára (Hardwár) on the Ganges. It is held sacred for eighteen kos in length. Large numbers of pilgrims assemble on the 10th of Chaitra.
These seven are called the seven (sacred) cities.
Prayága now called Illahábás. The distance for twenty kos around is venerated. They say that the desires of a man that dies here are gratified in his next birth. They also hold that whoever commits suicide is guilty of a great crime except in this spot where it meets with exceeding reward. Throughout the year it is considered holy, but especially so during the month of Mágha.* (Jan.–Feb.).
Nagarkoṭ.* For eight kos round it is venerated. On the eighth of the months of Chaitra and Kuár, many pilgrims assemble.
Káshmír is also accounted of this class and is dedicated to Mahádeva. Many places in it are held in great veneration.
The second are the shrines of the A´suras, which are temples dedicated to the Daitya race. In many things they share the privileges of the devatás; but the latter are more pure, while the others are filled with the principle of tamas (darkness).* Their temples are said to be in the lower regions (Pátála).
The third are called A´rsha, or shrines of the great Ṛishis, men who by virtue of austerities and good works are in near proximity to the deity. Their shrines are counted by thousands. Amongst them are Nimkhár (Nimishára),* Pukhra (Pushkara),* Khusháb, and Baddirí.*
The fourth are called Mánusha, or appertaining to men who by the power of good works are superior to mankind in general, though they do not obtain the rank of the third degree. Their shrines also are numerous. Among them is Kurukshetra, which for forty kos around is considered holy, and numerous pilgrims resort thither during eclipses of the sun and moon.
Ceremonies are laid down for each pilgrimage and their various meritorious results are declared.
O THOU! that seekest after divine knowledge, learn wisdom of these Hindu legends! Each particle among created atoms is a sublime temple of worship. May the Almighty deliver mankind from the wanderings of a vain imagination troubled over many things.